A Royston artist is using her creative know-how to help inspire the next generation of painters in a town-wide competition.

Stacey Leigh is working with Creative Royston for their Arts Festival cover art competition, on the theme of 'changes'. Picture: Stacey Leigh Ross

Stacey Leigh Ross has always been creative, but became a professional mixed media artist five years ago, being commissioned to create works based on people and also undertaking community projects – such as working with Creative Royston.

The extremely thorough artist told the Crow: “I don’t just paint people, I get to know them, like a best friend, because I create ‘life story art’ and the more you know, the better the job you do.”

Stacey Leigh is married to Christopher and is a mum of two children aged six and four.

City of London mixed media painting. Picture: Stacey Leigh Ross

“Christopher is an incredible support, I wouldn’t be able to work as I do if it wasn’t for him,” she said.

“And my children are very artistic already, they’ll get to their teens and surpass me.

“Before the children I’d just paint, but when you first have a baby it changes how you work.

From Wales to Argentina. Picture: Stacey Leigh Ross

“I don’t just want to make beautiful art, it should do more than look good – it should have an impact on the community.”

The 40-year-old is from the Carribean island of Trinidad, and came to the UK 12 years ago.

She is currently working with Creative Royston, the organisation behind the Royston Arts Festival which takes place on September 22 to 24, for their children’s cover art competition.

TropiChris - a life story artwork Stacey Leigh did for her husband Christopher. Picture: Stacey Leigh Ross

This year the theme is ‘changes’, and its open to schoolchildren to create a picture using photography, painting, sketching or other mediums.

The age categories are five to nine, 10 to 13, and 14 to 18, and Stacey Leigh will take the winning entries and create a cover for this year’s festival programme.

“I am very excited about the entries that will come in,” said Stacey Leigh.

Royston artist Stacey Leigh Ross.

“It’s really important for me to work with young people and help them express themselves through art.

“When I was 17 I had a traumatic experience and art helped me to cope.

“Art is like my faith, and if I can help just one other child deal with things in a positive way then I’m happy.”

Royston artist Stacey Leigh Ross' artwork. Picture: Stacey Leigh Ross

The deadline for entries is Friday, April 28. You can submit digital images to chair@creativeroyston.org or post your work to Creative Royston c/o Royston Town Hall, Melbourn Street, Royston, SG8 7DA

Stacey Leigh will also be at the Carnival Expo on May 13 and 14 at The Oval in London. See her website byleigh.com for more information about the artist and a portfolio of her work